SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Kum & Go LC is facing a possible class-action lawsuit over tainted fuel sold at one of its gas stations in Springfield, Mo., in mid-July, reported The Springfield News-Leader.
A motorist is suing the Wes Des Moines, Iowa-based convenience store company over about $50 in gasoline that he said damaged the engine and other parts of his pickup truck. The lawsuit filed by Colton Claxton claims that there was negligence on the part of the Kum & Go.
Company spokesperson Traci Rodemeyer told the newspaper that it has received 55 complaints from people who bought gas on July 17 and 18 at the station.
Claxton's lawsuit said that immediately after he bought gas the engine on his Chevrolet pickup started sputtering, and the truck stalled. A mechanic found that the truck had diesel fuel in it instead of unleaded, which Claxton thought he bought. The fuel tank was drained and new gas put in. The mechanic suggested replacing the engine. The total bill would be about $4,790. But Claxton said Kum & Go offered him $2,962 in compensation, the report said.
In a statement provided to CSP Daily News, Rodemeyer said, "Kum & Go has not been served with a lawsuit regarding fuel concerns at our store located at 620 North National Avenue in Springfield, so we cannot comment on the specifics of this alleged claim. Regarding the fuel incident experienced on July 17 and 18 at this particular store, we have taken full responsibility for the issues and are aggressively working with appropriate teams to address our customers' concerns. Kum & Go has already resolved any claimed problems with a large majority of the customers affected by this event, and we are actively working to resolve this matter with any remaining affected customers. We have also identified and fixed the equipment issues at this store to ensure that this type of incident cannot occur again. Kum & Go values the trust and relationships we have in the community, and we are truly sorry for the inconvenience that this has caused our customers."
Claxton is seeking to sue as a class action, said the report. He is asking to be compensated for damages, costs and "for such other relief as the court deems just and proper."
Kum & Go has more than 420 c-stores in 11 states (Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming).
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